Flight testing of the Alliant Techsystems Outrider tactical unmanned air vehicle (UAV) is being put on the fast track as the company has been given additional time by the US Deparmtment of Defense to prove the drone's capabilities.
The Outrider was six months late in being flown, and the air vehicle's weight has increased as endurance has dropped. Concern over technical issues has prompted the US military to consider alternative drones.
The Pentagon had given the company until mid-June to verify improved performance with an enlarged, 4m-span wing, and provide accurate weight estimates and launch and recovery distances.
The US military endorsed the tri-service effort in a critical programme review on 9 June, and allowed it to proceed because the Outrider had made "considerable progress" after four successful flights. The switch to a larger wing and aluminium fuselage structure has increased the air vehicle's weight from the intended 136kg and reduced endurance from the planned 4h. The production air vehicle should weigh 195kg allowing for 2.6h of endurance - better than the current 2h.
Source: Flight International
